BOSTON – Harnessing the type of skills Tyler Seguin possesses is impossible without an overflow of confidence.

Luckily for the 19-year-old and the Bruins, Seguin usually has a full tank of pride.

If he’d started to doubt himself at all after sitting out the Bruins’ first 11 playoff games, Seguin refueled after starting the Eastern Conference Final with three goals in two games.

Now, assuming he’s in the Boston lineup when the Stanley Cup Final starts Wednesday in Vancouver, Seguin has a chance to be a difference-maker on the sport’s biggest stage.

Even though he didn’t hit the score sheet in Game 7 against Tampa Bay – only three players did in the 1-0 Bruins victory – Seguin proved that now almost a full calendar year from getting drafted out of junior by Boston, he’s grasping everything it’s going to take to be a star in the NHL.

In his 14:53 of ice time, he attempted seven shots (three on net). But more importantly, he threw a hit and was responsible enough defensively to not have the Lightning score a goal against his line. He took care of the puck when he had to and made things happen in the corners of both zones.

For a teenager playing in his first-ever Game 7, Seguin showed his fearless side.

“I think I’ve gotten used to that,” said Seguin today about pressure. “Pretty much every game is a big game now. The last 15 games have been big games. Really I just want to stay focused, play my game and have fun. I think if I’m going out there worrying about making mistakes, that’s when I’m going to make them. I just go out there, do my best and not worry about making mistakes.”

Seguin has hardly had to worry throughout his career, as he went from a star in the minor ranks in the Toronto area to a 106-point scorer with Plymouth in the Ontario Hockey League. When he showed up at Bruins development camp last summer just a couple weeks after going to Boston with the No. 2 overall pick, he clearly was the best talent among Boston’s prospects. He shined during rookie camp and the two rookie games – which were moved to the Garden because of Seguin’s popularity – in the fall.

When you look back at it, Seguin scored his first NHL goal in just his second NHL game, and on an impressive breakaway no less. Maybe things were coming just a little too easy for him.

For a confluence of reasons, including an apparent fear of contact and battling, Seguin only scored 10 more goals the rest of the regular season. His playmaking was reduced to treating the puck as though it was on fire and the coaching staff couldn’t afford to be too patient with him during games. He sat out seven games healthy in the regular season before his playoff-opening run of press-box visits.

Now Seguin’s rookie season could’ve gone one of two ways once it became apparent that only an injury would get him in the playoff lineup. He could’ve chalked the year up to a loss and enjoyed an unending supply of press-box hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and desserts. Or he could stay focused, keep himself in game mode and prove that – even if he didn’t get into a game – the decision to keep him in Boston all year was the right move.

With a natural dose of confidence as ample as his hockey-god-given speed and shot, Seguin chose the latter and it paid off against the Lightning. But maybe more impressive than his offensive eruption in Game 1 and 2 while replacing Patrice Bergeron in the lineup, was the way he handled himself on the ice over the course of the rest of the series. He didn’t get frustrated when the Lightning took more notice of him and began to get a read on his moves. That’s why Game 7 might’ve been his best game. He didn’t produce, but he was front and center among Boston’s offensive standouts in a game Tampa Bay goaltender Dwayne Roloson seemed destined to steal.

Over the course of the five games after Bergeron returned, Seguin continued to make an impression on head coach Claude Julien, who had the unenviable task of scratching veteran energy player Shawn Thornton every night in order to keep the kid in the lineup.

“I think he’s grown a lot from the end of the regular season to that first game he played in the playoffs. And whatever the reasons are we tried to handle it the best we could and him being around the team and warm-ups and then when he got his chance I think he took advantage of it,” explained Julien. “But I see a more confident Tyler in the playoffs. As he also mentioned, he’s going to areas where before he was going there but probably not going in there with lots of confidence. And I think the fact that he’s got that confidence, he’s skating a lot better, he’s confident in making some plays. And for that reason he was kept in the lineup.

“I mean to certain people you look at his game and say, ‘well he’s got those six points but didn’t produce.’ But that’s not an issue with us. I think what we look at when we look at Tyler is what he brings on a nightly basis shift by shift. And even though he hadn’t scored, he still created some plays, he still created some opportunities. And that’s what you need from him. So he’s been good and we’ve had to take somebody out of the lineup to make room for him that also deserves to be in there. And I think the whole situation hasn’t been easy, but our guys have handled it like real pros and it’s about the team right now. And we’re happy with what he’s brought and how it’s been handled.”

Regardless of what happens to the Bruins in this upcoming Cup Final, you have a feeling they’re in for a few more appearances among the NHL final two in the years ahead with Seguin as a centerpiece. He might not have put up the type of numbers you expect from someone of his skill set, but the experience he’s gained being around a championship-caliber team has to be more valuable than logging a lot of minutes for a loser.

And since he’s understood that from Day One and hasn’t let sporadic playing time and healthy scratches turn his self confidence level into self pity, his on-ice skills have shined at times when you least expected them to.

The 2011 Stanley Cup Final could provide yet another surprising stage for Seguin to star.

The B’s will be taking a real good look at Bieksa, although I do believe he will be overpaid next year. I can’t imagine any big name RFA’s moving around because of the compensation that it would take to get Weber or Yandle. Both those players are in a market where they could be the one splurge the team makes to keep fans around.

GR90 – I’d throw money toward Doughty b/c as a cup finalist, I think the Bs – in a hockey town – would have serious appeal. Didn’t think the Weber thing through – he probably does stay. Also agree on Wiesnewski. If they can’t pry Doughty, I’d love to pull someone like Wiz off the Canadien roster.

Cole is an intersting idea. He could be a good fit with Bergeron and Marchand. I’m still thinking trades are the way to add to the forward group though… we’ll see.

I don’t think the B’s need to go and get any scoring. They have a few forwards that are knocing at the door to come up. Caron, Knight, Sauve. What they need is to solidify their back end with maybe an Eric Brewer type in place of Kaberle.

Weber stays in NSH, especially considering the recent success of the franchise and his role as captain. I think Wiz could be a good fit- as much as I’ve disagreed with his antics and attitude in the past, he’s a pretty versatile defenseman, more aggressive than Kaberle, and a good complementary point man on the PP. He’d be a lot cheaper than what I expect Yandle to garner next year ($4-5mil), even if Phoenix were not to use their right to first refusal. And though the free agent market for forwards is a little thin, I would like to see the B’s go after a versatile scorer like Erik Cole or Tomas Fleischmann (who are both UFA). Especially Fleischmann, who could come cheap given his blood clot issue this past year; but this guy is only a year removed from a 26 goal campaign on the Caps’ 2nd/3rd lines, and was explosive for the Avs in his brief stint. He was an Olympic teammate of Krejci, too. Just a thought.

I’m immensely excited to have Kelly and Peverley both back for next year, too. I love Boston’s new-found penchant for speedy two-way forwards; I have faith that if Savard doesn’t come back, Chiarelli will look to add a new dimension up fron tand solidify the back-end as well.

TCL – absolutely cut ties with Kaberle. I sure hope there isn’t a question on this one. There may not be much on the market for forwards but D? Time to go shopping!
If its a ‘puck-mover’ each of Wiesnewski, Pitkannen and Erhoff (watch closely these next few games) are all unrestricted. If its a more well rounded guy – Bieksa (watch closely…) or Brewer might be tempting. Or – since the Bs should have some serious cash to play with if Savard is done (Ryder, Recchi, Kaberle = $10million minus a $2m raise to Marchand plus a bump in the cap for 2011), and the Bs will have an opportunity to go bag one of the three restricted GEMS (Doughty, Weber or Yandle – Holy Crap!). Heck – if PC wanted to get out some frustration he could even make a run at Schenn or Reimer just to piss off the Leafs.

I’m so fired up for the Finals, but I’ve been fired up for this off-season since before last!! Good times ahead for these Bs if PC plays it right.

I think the team still has some holes, but the team that was put together truly was built for a play off run and as much whining as there was over the Kelly trade, I think he has proven to be worth that draft pick.

I still kind of see Kaberle as a bust-really think in his case we should cut the losses after the season and see if there is a better deal on the free agency/trade market.

But Chiarelli was certainly raked over the coals for some of his aquisitions, and during the first round there were plenty of calls to fire him, I would love to see just what he was thinking as he made the various trades that got us here.

Still going to be an uphill battle I think against the Canucks-but I actually think this Bruins team has a nice mix and could very well pull off the upset.

Looks like I’m a step further than everyone on this Recchi thing. I’m in favor of a fresh and motivated Thorton on that 4th line and Recchi taking a spell for a game or two at least. They needed to rest him for a couple of 5-10 game stretches during the season, and now we’re seeing the air leave his tires because they didn’t. Sitting him would be a big deal… but c’mon the guy is 43 – he’s a pro – he’s seen and done it all – and he seems the consumate teammate.

I’d also like to see a mailbag. I’d like to see an article that describes how this team was put together. PC deserves a lot of credit – its time he gets it.

Great article, and great comments. I was surprised the day after game 7 to go back and realize how much time Seguin had in there. I almsot thought it was a misprint. Then I was really pleased because I knew it was a reflection of the kind of solid game he must have been playing, doing what the other guys do when they’re not scoring: contributing by winning puck battles, playing sound defense, etc.

Campbell has not had a lot of time to begin with, but other than some very good PK play (which counts for plenty in my book), I really have not noticed much out of him in a while. I am no coach but I have to guess that one reason to Paille’s and Cambell’s minutes keep so short is simply to have them as fresh for the pk as possible. Not a luxury they can afford with Chara, Bergeron, etc. but a decent trade-off with P+C considering what the Bs were able to do against the TB PP for every game except one.

And there are times when rolling the 4th line makes sense-and it may make more sense with Vancouver.

Recchi will probably be a stronger player with shortened minutes and I agree that Recchi is an adult and I think he more than anyone has to realize his tank is almost empty. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Julien and Recchi haven’t already had that “this is what’s best for the team and our run for the cup” conversation. In the end I bet Recchi would rather play fewer minutes and get his name on the cup one more time than run out of gas and put a ball and chain around Bergeron’s and Marchand’s ankles (which I think he sometimes does).

I just don’t think this team is going to get past Vancouver with Recchi pulling 15-20 minutes a game on that line. I think Julien and Recchi both have to see it or at least I hope they see it.

It is the SCF and you do what you gotta do to win the cup-even if it means the old man gets his minutes shortened (and I like the old man, and think he is an awesome leader and a great veteran to have around and I think post retirement he is the kind of man you want to hire in your organization for player development).

Taking some minutes away from Campbell and Recchi is what I mean. They haven’t rolled four lines since March. Claude has done some mixing. You have to. If you’re too predictable than the other coach will have a field day with you. Guys playing four or five minutes is not rolling four lines.

It’s HLK and the other two lines that are wearing down heavy minute D men.

I’d like to see the change made also. I don’t think Recchi would take offense at all, he knows the game as well as anyone and he’s not the kind of guy to put himself ahead of the team. Especially when he’s got the chance to ride off into the sunset with the cup. That being said, the 4th line is going to get alot of ice against Vancouver, at least in the first 3 games.

Hey MK, think you have time for a pre-Finals mail bag? My question concerns the forward lines and ice time. Do you anticipate Peverly finding a permanent spot on the Bergeron/Marchand line or will he continue to move around? Seguin had 14:53 TOI in game 7 – 10 seconds more than Horton. Peverly had 16:14 and Recchi 12:37. Campbell & Paille had team lows 5/6 mins each. Of course, there were no PPs to kill. But, what are the chances of Rex finding himself on that 4th line and having his TOI cut back? I know last round you said that would be insulting to Recchi, but with the Cup on the line and playing a fast Vancouver team, I really can’t see Rex holding back Bergy and Marchand any longer. I’m sure another ring would make the guy feel better about riding the pine.